Digital Construction

McLaughlin & Harvey takes a forward-thinking, digital approach to construction, using technology to support how we plan, deliver, and collaborate on projects.

By integrating digital tools across our business, we’re enhancing outcomes for clients, driving efficiency, and cutting carbon.

Our commitment to innovation and technical excellence positions us strongly to help lead the future of digital construction in the UK.

In 2024, our innovative, in-house approach saw McLaughlin & Harvey awarded Digital Contractor of the Year at the Digital Construction Awards.

In-House Expertise

Our Digital Construction Team leads every project using BIM processes aligned with ISO 19650 standards. Bringing together geometry, documentation and real-time collaboration, they create coordinated data-rich models. We work closely with our supply chain to establish, manage and maintain delivery strategies to ensure that building information models are accurate, consistent and drive smarter project delivery for our clients.

Our Digital Construction Managers and Coordinators work closely with clients to fully understand and document their Asset Information Model requirements, whether COBie, Smart Building datasets, or beyond. They develop tailored delivery strategies that align people, processes, and technologies to capture, manage, verify, and validate data accurately.

This approach ensures asset information meets client needs, unlocking its full potential for facilities management and providing structured data behind Smart Building Systems and Digital Twins.

By leading our digital strategy from within, we stay agile and aligned, delivering consistent, high-quality results for every client, as evidenced by the below client testimony.

“McLaughlin & Harvey’s BIM delivery strategy was acknowledged by Fulcro as one of the best they have ever received.”
Savills

Process

Our information management processes fully comply with the BS EN ISO 19650 series and the UK BIM Framework, giving our clients confidence in high-quality digital delivery.

With strong in-house expertise, we guide clients through every step of the information management journey from defining Exchange Information Requirements (EIRs) and developing BIM Execution Plans, to establishing Project Information Standards and Production Methods and Procedures.

We work with all project stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with client requirements and industry standards, promoting transparency, accuracy, and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle.

Technology

Advanced digital technologies are embedded across every stage of project delivery, seamlessly managed by our in-house digital construction team. This integrated approach ensures we deliver smarter, faster, and more reliable outcomes for our clients.

Using a robust Common Data Environment configured to meet BS EN ISO 19650 and the UK BIM Framework, we combine tools like modelling, photogrammetry, augmented reality, and automated data validation to enhance planning, coordination, and decision-making. We also deploy digital platforms to track carbon performance and sustainability metrics, helping our teams and clients meet environmental targets with precision and accountability.

Our technology-driven methods support:

Real-time collaboration through shared models and cloud-based platforms
Construction sequencing and logistics planning for efficient project delivery
Internal and external site capture for accurate, ongoing progress tracking
Augmented reality for real-world installation, validation and clash avoidance
AI-powered compliance checks for document control
End-to-end asset data delivery, including COBie and Smart Building datasets
Digitised information planning and live dashboards for programme certainty
Carbon tracking tools to monitor embodied and operational emissions against sustainability goals

By taking full ownership of our digital delivery in-house, we offer clients a trusted construction partner that ensures compliance, transparency, and long-term value through digital innovation.

Drones

At McLaughlin & Harvey, our digital capabilities extend to a team of eight fully qualified in-house drone pilots supporting projects across the UK and Ireland. This aerial expertise allows us to capture high-quality data quickly, safely, and with minimal disruption to site operations.

Our drone pilots play a critical role in:

Topographic and volumetric surveys
Progress tracking and visual documentation
Site logistics planning and access analysis
3D mapping and digital terrain modelling
Inspections in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas

By integrating aerial surveys directly into our digital workflows, we enhance project visibility, improve accuracy, and accelerate decision-making. The data collected by our drone teams feeds directly into our BIM models and project reporting, ensuring seamless coordination between what’s happening on-site and how it’s represented digitally, providing clients with reliable, real-time insights from day one to handover.